When it comes to waste management, most of us know the drill: Reduce, reuse, recycle. And while many of us are diligent about separating out recyclable items and disposing of them in city-designated waste bins, we may not be entirely aware of how important recycling is to the health of our environment. Taking time to educate ourselves about the ins and outs of our recycling systems (did you know that not all plastic items are equally recyclable?) and purchasing recyclable products can go a long way toward reducing our carbon footprint. Here’s what you need to know about shopping for and disposing of recyclable products.

What Does Recyclable Mean?

When an item is labeled as “recyclable” (you’ll probably notice a symbol resembling a triangle comprised of arrows on the packaging), that means it’s made of materials that can be broken down and transformed into new products. Recyclable materials include glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and even some electronics. Products that aren’t recyclable, on the other hand, end up in landfills and create additional waste in the environment.

Benefits of Buying Recyclable Products

The greatest benefit of buying recyclable products is helping to reduce waste. Reducing waste can have enormous positive impacts on the environment and helps preserve natural resources. By reducing the need for conventional waste disposal systems, recyclable products help reduce air pollution, water pollution, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Recycling 101

Not all recycling symbols are created equal. In fact, some mean an item can’t be recycled at all, so be sure to read labels carefully. This is especially true when it comes to plastic or disposable containers. You may notice that at the center of each triangular symbol is a number, with letters printed below it. These letters and numbers indicate the grade of the plastic and note both its safety and how it’s typically used. To decode your symbol and ensure your product can be disposed of without disrupting the environment, visit this site.

Top Recyclable Brands

These brands know a thing or two about thinking inside the box (and bottle).

Acure is far more than just a nature-based beauty brand. Beyond offering an extensive line of vegan and organic skin care products, this family-owned company also employs eco-friendly practices throughout every step of production (the brand uses biodegradable packaging and at least 70% of it comes from recycled material with plant based inks).

Get your digestive health back on track while also supporting vaginal health with a female-focused formula. It’s comprised of vitamins, prebiotics, probiotics, minerals, and dairy-digesting enzymes to help break down lactose and casein.

This earth-focused brand is committed to promoting natural health with minimal environmental impact. With every product, New Chapter aims to meet three goals: “deliver the wisdom of Nature, advance the organic mission, and nurture and sustain Mother Earth.” The company itself is actually Certified Zero Waste to Landfill.

Did you know you can reduce your household waste each week and create a nutrient-rich fertilizer at the same time? Our go-to guide breaks down the key to composting so you can get to work on reducing your carbon footprint.

‌

Download the app for easy shopping on the go

Provide your phone number to get a link.

By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive text messages to this number from Thrive Market. Message & data rates may apply.